United News
U's reward loyal fans
OXFORD United are rewarding the loyalty of their season ticket holders by giving them 5 per cent off the season ticket price next year.
It's believed to be the first time that United have reduced season-ticket prices.
Existing season-ticket holders - and there are around 3,200 of them - will get 5 per cent off as a reward for sticking by the team this season, even when the results weren't great.
And in another move by the club, under 11s' season tickets have been cut to just £60 in any area of the ground, which works out at just £2.60 per game over the season.
Other key points to emerge from the club's announcement of the 2008-9 season ticket and matchday prices are:
Under sevens' ticket to remain free for all matches
North Stand matchday and advanced prices reduced by £1 to £15 in advance and £17 on the day
Under 11 season tickets now available in any area of the ground - not just the family area - for £60
The most eye-catching development, though, is United's decision to slash 5 per cent off season-ticket prices for their most loyal fans.
The club said in a statement: "Loyalty is the key to football, and we have the most loyal, most supportive fans in the country. To reward that loyalty we are offering all existing season ticket holders 5 per cent off their season ticket prices.
"Booked by July 4 and adults save at least £100 off the full matchday prices, whichever area of the ground they sit in.
"Even if you haven't had a season ticket this year, there are still substantial savings to be made.
"We also recognise the need to build the next generation of Oxford United supporters and to allow families to enjoy coming to matches together.
"We have also listened to what the fans have said and reduced the matchday and advanced prices for the North Stand. That stand becomes £1 cheaper per ticket and, if you add the 5 per cent reduction as well, then an adult season ticket in the North Stand is £30 cheaper this year."
Season-ticket holder Mark Rowbotham, from Abingdon, said: "I think it's a great idea, and for any season-ticket holder from last season who was maybe undecided about whether to renew of not, it will probably tip the balance.
"It's a great gesture from the club because, let's face it, last season wasn't very good. But the great run over the last few games has persuaded me and a lot of my mates to renew."
Advance match tickets for the Oxford Mail Stand remain at £14 for adults, with on-the-day match tickets reduced by £1 to £16.
The differential between in advance and on-the-day is now generally £2 where before it had been £3.
7:00am Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Andy, Cowley on 8:51am Fri 2 May 08
Great news in my opinion - I'll be renewing my season ticket!
Roll on August - bored already!!
Great news in my opinion - I'll be renewing my season ticket!
Roll on August - bored already!!
Posted by: Terry Taylor, Surrey on 11:40am Fri 2 May 08
Excellent news. Well done to the club. Thought for the supporters and looking to build a family and community based club for the future.
This is good sensible thinking, and should result in retaining many of the existing season ticket holders who might otherwise have not renewed, as well as potentially selling more season tickets to those with young families. Well done.
Excellent news. Well done to the club. Thought for the supporters and looking to build a family and community based club for the future.
This is good sensible thinking, and should result in retaining many of the existing season ticket holders who might otherwise have not renewed, as well as potentially selling more season tickets to those with young families. Well done.
Posted by: yellowfeeva, Warwick on 12:57pm Fri 2 May 08
A good plan to attract long - term support. How many clubs wring every penny out of their fans these days? Great news for fans who want to bring kids to the game. How many of us started supporting this club wearing short trousers sitting on a wall at the Manor?
Almost forgot .....PATTO IN!
A good plan to attract long - term support. How many clubs wring every penny out of their fans these days? Great news for fans who want to bring kids to the game. How many of us started supporting this club wearing short trousers sitting on a wall at the Manor?
Almost forgot .....PATTO IN!
Posted by: Andy Sutton, Forest of Dean on 1:17pm Fri 2 May 08
Forest of Dean yellows applaud the reward for season ticket holders, we would still have renewed but it all helps with the rising fuel costs, 9610 miles in car plus 700 on the LRC coach this season. Thank you Mr Merry, lets get as many bums on seats as possible, see you all next season and a HUGE PATTO IN from West Gloucestershire
Forest of Dean yellows applaud the reward for season ticket holders, we would still have renewed but it all helps with the rising fuel costs, 9610 miles in car plus 700 on the LRC coach this season. Thank you Mr Merry, lets get as many bums on seats as possible, see you all next season and a HUGE PATTO IN from West Gloucestershire
Posted by: Chris, Didcot on 2:02pm Fri 2 May 08
Was going to renew anyway, but well chuffed now, Yay :)
Was going to renew anyway, but well chuffed now, Yay :)
Posted by: Pattos army, Oxon on 4:40pm Sat 3 May 08
Brilliant stuff, thanks Merry and Co, i was renewing anyway, but hopefully it make those miserable sods come back!!
Brilliant stuff, thanks Merry and Co, i was renewing anyway, but hopefully it make those miserable sods come back!!
Posted by: Returning ST holder on 7:01pm Sat 3 May 08
Good that they have 'slashed' the returning ST holders' price by £12 in the East Stand.
Also, good that the under 11 prices were brought into line in each stand, although still more than the family area for some reason?
A shame for the parents that have kids in the 11-16 year old age group (the next batch of adult supporters), as the differential still exists for those.
£66.50 in Family area
£109 in East Stand
£120 in North Stand
£133 in SSL
£161.50 in SSU
A missed opportunity to encourage the next generation of supporter.
Good that they have 'slashed' the returning ST holders' price by £12 in the East Stand.
Also, good that the under 11 prices were brought into line in each stand, although still more than the family area for some reason?
A shame for the parents that have kids in the 11-16 year old age group (the next batch of adult supporters), as the differential still exists for those.
£66.50 in Family area
£109 in East Stand
£120 in North Stand
£133 in SSL
£161.50 in SSU
A missed opportunity to encourage the next generation of supporter.
Posted by: Mellowyellow, Marshmellow land on 8:57pm Sun 4 May 08
I don't think so, my brothers are 16 and all those save up from xmas birthdays and have part time jobs to see there beloved Oxford. No prem team on the side, just Oxford! Die hard young Oxford fans will always be here,
I don't think so, my brothers are 16 and all those save up from xmas birthdays and have part time jobs to see there beloved Oxford. No prem team on the side, just Oxford! Die hard young Oxford fans will always be here,
Posted by: dan rodgers, whateo on 11:13am Mon 5 May 08
another year playing amature footy GREAT
another year playing amature footy GREAT
Posted by: Chris, Wales on 7:17pm Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]Returning ST holder[/bold] wrote:
Good that they have 'slashed' the returning ST holders' price by £12 in the East Stand. Also, good that the under 11 prices were brought into line in each stand, although still more than the family area for some reason? A shame for the parents that have kids in the 11-16 year old age group (the next batch of adult supporters), as the differential still exists for those. £66.50 in Family area £109 in East Stand £120 in North Stand £133 in SSL £161.50 in SSU A missed opportunity to encourage the next generation of supporter.[/quote] I agree, not having the same pricing policy for 11 to 16's is leaving a hole that future fans could fall through. I have been bringing my 2 kids (11 and 14)since before we left the Manor. This season I only bought them twice and next year with increases in food and petrol etc I fear I will have to continue leaving them at home which will do nothing to halt their declining interest in the club! They are approaching the age where they could become fans for life, however there is a danger that mine and many others in this age group will fall through that hole and cease attending once prices go up.
Returning ST holder wrote:
Good that they have 'slashed' the returning ST holders' price by £12 in the East Stand. Also, good that the under 11 prices were brought into line in each stand, although still more than the family area for some reason? A shame for the parents that have kids in the 11-16 year old age group (the next batch of adult supporters), as the differential still exists for those. £66.50 in Family area £109 in East Stand £120 in North Stand £133 in SSL £161.50 in SSU A missed opportunity to encourage the next generation of supporter.
I agree, not having the same pricing policy for 11 to 16's is leaving a hole that future fans could fall through. I have been bringing my 2 kids (11 and 14)since before we left the Manor. This season I only bought them twice and next year with increases in food and petrol etc I fear I will have to continue leaving them at home which will do nothing to halt their declining interest in the club! They are approaching the age where they could become fans for life, however there is a danger that mine and many others in this age group will fall through that hole and cease attending once prices go up.
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